Rapid Response Subgroup

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, President Trump has falsely suggested that Ukraine was responsible for the war with Russia and should have resolved the conflict years ago. This claim is not only unfounded, but it dangerously misrepresents the facts.

Russia is the invading nation, the aggressor, and the perpetuator of war crimes. Louisiana's own Republican Senators agree. Senator Kennedy went further, calling Russia's dictator, Vladimir Putin, a gangster with a black heart, a figure responsible for unprovoked war and atrocities on a sovereign nation.

It was Russia's invasion that shattered Ukraine's peace, beginning with the invasion and annexation of Crimea in 2014 and through the full-scale invasion that began just over 3 years ago. Russian forces are committing horrific and documented war crimes against Ukrainian soldiers and innocent civilians. Senator Cassidy called it out for what it was: A war of aggression initiated by Putin, not Ukraine.

Senator Kennedy also rightly emphasized that negotiating with Russia without Ukraine at the table is problematic. Republicans are saying this. They are speaking up because they recognize that these are lies and that we should stand firm in our support and push back against communism and against the hate of Russia and support Ukraine.

Mr. Speaker, I urge us to do the right thing.

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